Career Center

Are you interested in joining the worlds brightest talent on solving some of the worldâ™s grandest scientific challenges of the 21st century? Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is doing just that! Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to make their mark on our world. PPPL aims to attract and support people with a rich variety of backgrounds, interests, experiences, and cultural viewpoints. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and believe that each member of our team contributes to our scientific mission in their own unique way. Come join us!

This opening is for a Mechanical Engineer to become part of the PPPL collaboration team in performing mechanical design and analysis work for new equipment/diagnostic additions to the D3D fusion reactor and worldwide. A component of our team produces diagnostic devices for other fusion reactors around the world.

This position will be at PPPL position located at General Atomics, San Diego, Ca. 92121.

DIII-D is a fusion device located at San Diego Ca. It is the largest device in the USA. This high temperature fusion device requires continual support for its systems, upgrades, and new additions.

Mechanical Engineer responsibilities

• Design subsystem support for equipment, functionally and physically:
  • Electron Cyclotron Heating
  • Lower Hybrid Current Drive
  • Helicon
  • Tokamak Operations
  • Dropper Technology
• Perform mechanical analysis using Solidworks, with COMSOL, preferred for thermal, mechanical, seismic, and lifetime analysis.
• Support the physics team with development of optical and spectroscopic plasma diagnostics diagnostic. Experience with this hardware and its operation preferred.
• Balance workday between multiple projects and respond immediately to tech support requests from staff as required.
• Support projects at D3D as part of the Engineering Collaboration Special Projects Team---this is D3D wide and involves jobs that overlap our teamâ™s skill set.

This job is located at General Atomics, San Diego, Ca. 92121.

Education and Experience:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering
• 1-2 years combined experience with student internships and regular full-time experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Solidworks CAD

• Knowledge of seismic analysis techniques

• Fundamental understanding of vacuum systems

• Have knowledge of 3D printers (plastics printing for prototypes).

• Ability to work with others and contribute to a larger team effort across several time zones as needed.

• Experience in working with prints, tolerances, and design evaluation.

• Experience in working with shop equipment to fabricate prototype design concepts.

• Preferred Skills:

  • COMSOL

  • Familiarity with Structural Design

  • Basic understanding of dynamic mechanical systems

  • Understanding of optical designs

  • Experience with optical design software

  • Knowledge with operation with ultra-high vacuum equipment

Physical Requirements:

• Lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to run cables under a raised floor or along a dropped ceiling,
• Ability to stand for long periods of time (when needed),
• Ability to sit at a computer for extended periods (most frequent).

Working Conditions:

• Expected travel for conferences: 1-2 weeks per year;
• Flexibility to accommodate lab test times or off-site collaboration (expected during the 2nd and 3rd years)
• Nights and weekends may be required when needed.

Princeton University is an

About Princeton University

Princeton University is a vibrant community of scholarship and learning that stands in the nation's service and in the service of all nations. Chartered in 1746, Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. Princeton is an independent, coeducational, nondenominational institution that provides undergraduate and graduate instruction in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering.As a world-renowned research university, Princeton seeks to achieve the highest levels of distinction in the discovery and transmission of knowledge and understanding. At the same time, Princeton is distinctive among research universities in its commitment to undergraduate teaching.Today, more than 1,100 faculty members instruct approximately 5,200 undergraduate students and 2,600 graduate students. The University's generous financial aid program ensures that talented students from all economic backgrounds can afford a Princeton education.

Connections working at Princeton University